Massage Therapy in Infants

It has been shown in various studies, and our textbook, that touch is very important in the development in infants. Another area where touch has been shown to be beneficial to the development is through massage therapy in preterm, and full-term, infants.

The Touch Research Institute at the University of Miami, School of Medicine held several studies regarding massage therapy on infants. It was demonstrated that massage therapy after only five days, had positive effects on weight gain in preterm newborns.
In another study, full-term newborns were given massages in the first month after birth. It was found that those infants gained more weight, and more length. They also performed better on the Brazelton Neonatal Behavior Assessment Scale. Another benefit of massage on infants is the reduction of sleep disturbances.

So, why is massage such a benefit to newborns? It is believed that the vagus, which is one of the 12 cranial nerves, has widespread branches to numerous organs in the body, including the gastrointestinal tract. It is believed that the vagus helps release food absorption hormones, such as glucose, and insulin. It is also believed to increase gastric motility, or movement of the wall that helps to accelerate food absorption. This gastric activity is enhanced by massage therapy, and is believed to be a contributing factor in weight gain in preterm infants.